Packing apparatus



p 9, 1958 H. N. BROYLES ET AL 2,850,857

PACKING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 18, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l wmggu INVENTORS.

Horace N. Bray/es George W. Evans 334 Pqul Pavoni E Wll/IC'ITI H. Kindel ATTORNEY p 9, 1958 H. N. BROYLES ET-AL 2,850,857

PACKING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 18, 195

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PACKHNG APPARATUS Horace N. Broyles, St. Louis, Mo, and George W. Evans, Paul Favoni, and William H. Kindel, Denver, Colo, assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, to United Mattress Machinery Co., North Quincy, Mass a cor poration of Massachusetts Application Uctoher 1S, 1954-, Serial No. 462,784

16 Claims. (Cl. 53-424 This invention relates to packing apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for packing a compressible article, such as a mattress, into a bag or container therefor, such as made of paper.

For shipping and storage purposes, primarily to maintain the surface thereof clean, but also for convenience in handling and stacking during storage, mattresses are conventionally packed in paper bags. Usually the bags are slightly smaller than the mattress in uncompressed condition, so that the mattress is in at least slightly compressed condition while in the bag and therefore the mattress will maintain its shape and also will form a slightly smaller package. Also, the mattress will not tend to slip around in the bag, nor will loose and protruding portions of the bag, which may become damaged and torn, tend to be produced. Other compressible articles, similar to mattresses, such as cushions, sofa seats and the like, may be similarly packaged. To compress a mattress while simultaneously placing it in a bag by hand is a time consuming and extensive operation, since the bags conventionally used are sutficiently strong to contain the mattress in compressed condition after the mattress has been compressed therein, but the previously open end of the bag and sometimes other portions of the bag tend to split while the mattress is placed therein by hand. As will be evident, a split bag means that the time consumed in attempting to place the mattress in the bag, up until the time the bag. splits, is completely wasted. Also, if a mattress is run between rollers or other compressing means and guided into a bag, the tendency for the mattress to split the bag, not only at the time it enters but also thereafter, produces an undue waste of labor and material. Mattresses also come in difierent sizes and apparatus for packing mattresses in bags must therefore be adapted to accommodate such different sizes.

Among the objects of this invention are to provide a novel apparatus for packing compressible articles, such as mattresses, into bags or containers; to provide such apparatus which will conveniently place the mattress or the like in the bag without undue tendency to tear or otherwise damage the bag; to provide such apparatus which pemits bags of minimum strength, which are therefore less expensive, to be utilized; to provide such apparatus which will accommodate differences in sizes of the mattresses; to provide such apparatus which may be made substantially automatic in operation; to provide such apparatus which has moving parts, but in which the mattress is protected from being damaged or soiled by such moving parts; to provide such apparatus which operates effectively and etficiently, yet requires a minimum of time for its operations; to provide such apparatus which will pack consecutive mattresses or the like in bags with a comparative minimum of time and effort; to provide such apparatus which may exist in more than one form; and to provide such apparatus which may be manufactured comparatively economically.

Additional objects and the novel features of this invention will become apparent from the description which follows, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of mattress packing apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention, taken from a position at one side and rearwardly of the same;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus of Fig. l, with a mattress entering a bag;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation, otherwise similar to Fig. 2, with the mattress in the bag;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section, taken longitudinally through a pusher forming a part of the apparatus along line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a slightly enlarged, perspective view of a spout or guide assembly forming a part of the apparatus of Fig. 1, the view being taken from a position at one side and forwardlythereof;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a guiding spout forming an alternative embodiment of a spout which forms a part of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section, taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section, taken along line 88 of Fig. 7. I

As illustrated in Fig. 1, apparatus for packing mattresses or the like into bags, constructed in accordance with this invention, may comprise a table T or other structure providing a surface onto which a mattress may be placed for packing into a bag; a pusher P which is moved forwardly to push the mattress into the bag and then rearwardly to permit the next mattress to be placed on the table T; one or more guide spouts, such as spouts S and S, which may be mounted on a framework F for movement into position with respect to the top of table T; and an auxiliary table T or other structure providing a surface on which a bag 10, as in Fig. 2, may be placed, and a mattress 11 may be pushed into the bag by the pusher P.

The spouts S and S are similar in construction, but differ in dimensions, so as to accommodate mattresses of different sizes, such as double bed size and twin bed or three-quarter bed size. Thus, the spouts S and S maybe mounted one above the other on transverse bars 12, such as channels, which extends between slides 13, with one slide 13 at each side, in turn movable upwardly and downwardly along guide 14, mounted inside uprights 15 of framework F. In the position shown, spout S is aligned with the top 16 of table T and the spouts may be moved to and from a position in which spout S is aligned with the top 16 of table T by a hydraulic cylinder 17, having a piston rod 18 attached to the.uppermost bar 12. Hydraulic fluid under suitable pressure is supplied by a pump through a pressure line 19 leading to a three-way valve 20, from which an exhaust fluid line 21 leads back to the hydraulic pressure apparatus, such .as a supply tank for the pump, the tank, pump and associated parts being conventional and therefore not shown. By turning handle 22 of three-way valve 20 to one position, fluid is supplied through a pipe 23 to the upper end of cylinder 17, thereby moving the spouts S and S downwardly until spout S is in alignment with top 16 of table T, whereupon valve handle 22 may be moved back to the neutral position shown, thus locking piston rod 18 in such position. During downward movement of piston rod 18, fluid in cylinder 17 beneath its piston exhausts through pipe 24 to valve 20 and then through exhaust line 21. To move the spouts S and S back to the position shown in Fig. l, valve handle 22 is shifted in the opposite direction, whereupon fluid from pressure line 19 will be supplied through pipe 24 to the lower end of cylinder 17 and fluid will exhaust through pipe 23 to valve 211 and line 21, the piston rod 18 thereupon being raised and moving the spouts S and S along with it. Again, when the position shown is reached, the valve handle 22 may be moved back to neutral position, thuslocking thepiston rod 18 and the.spouts .S and S with it, in the positions shown. As will be evident the position of the spouts S and. S is reversed only .when a change to a different size of mattressis to be made.

The pusher P, as in Fig. 2, normally occupies aposition beneath the lower end of a chute 25 down which the mattress may move for feeding to the apparatus, a suitable gate (not shown) conveniently being provided at a suitable point along thechute 25 so that the gate may be opened ,to permit each mattress 11 in turn to slide down the chute and onto the table T, preparatory to pushing the mattress ll into bag 10.; The pusher P Fig. 2, whereupon another mattress may he slid into position and another bag llplaced over the spout'S or S, as the case may be, and the next mattress then pushed into the bag therefor.

As in Figs. 5, 7 and 8, the spouts S and S, aswell as the alternative spout S" of Fig. 6, are provided with a throat or entrance section and a delivery section, the throat section having a downwardly inclined top 28, an upwardly inclined bottom 29 and converging sides 30, which may be provided with flanges 31, as in Figs. 68, for attachment to bars 12 and auxiliary bars 32 of Fig. 5. This throat section compresses the mattress before it enters the bag 10, the open end of which is placed over the delivery end of the chute, which has a flat bottom 33, vertical sides 34 and a top 35 attached, as by hinges 36, to the top 28 of the throat section. The top edge of each side 34 of the spout deliverey section is preferably inclined downwardly and rounded off at the end, to facilitate placing the open end of the bag 10 thereover. If only a throat section and a discharge section having a hinged top were utilized, when the mattress enters the bag 10, the hinged top 35 would be pushed upwardly by the force of the mattress attempting to resume its uncompressed condition and would split the bag at its front end.

In accordance with this invention, the spout is provided with means which restrict the pivotal movement of the hinged top 35 to a position preferably not more than substantially parallel to the bottom 33, so that the mattress will still be compressed until it leaves the end of the top 35. However, by this time the end of the mattress is well into bag 10 and the bag therefore is prevented from being split, since the open front end is the weak point of the bag and the bag is sulficiently strong several inches back from the open end to withstand the expanding force of the mattress. Such means may comprise a strap 37 which extends around the delivery end of the spout S or S' a point adjacent the hinges 36. Or, as in the alternative spout S", illustrated in Fig. 6, such restraining means may comprise a pair of angles 38, each attached to one of the sides 34 of the delivery portion of the chute, preferably adjacent hinges 36. It will be evident, of course, that other restraining means, differing in construction but adapted to perform the same funcion. may be utilized.

As in Figs. 1 and 4, the top 16 of table T is provided with a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending channels 40 in which chains 41 and 41 move to shift the pusher P between the positions of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. As will be evident from Fig. 4, the channels 40 are preferably sufficiently deep that neither of the chains 41 or 41 will contact the mattress which is placed on the top 16 of the table T, thereby preventing damage or soiling of the'same, as by grease or oil. Each chain 41- and 41' may pass around a series of sprockets, such as a front upper sprocket 42 at the front end of table T, a rear upper sprocket 43 at the rear of table T, a rear lower sprocket 44 disposed beneath sprocket 43 and a front lower sprocket 45 disposed beneath sprocket 42. Front upper sprockets 42 may be mounted on a shaft 46, in turn mounted in bearings 47 supported by brackets 48, while front lower sprockets 44 may be mounted on a shaft 46 in turn mounted in bearings 47 supported by brackets 48', with brackets 48 and 48' being suitably mounted on table T or supported in any other suitable manner. Similarly, upper rear sprockets 43 may be mounted on a shaft 49 and lower rear sprockets 44 may be mounted on a shaft 49, the respective shafts being mounted in bearings 50 and 50, in turn supported by brackets 51 and 51', which are mounted on table T or supported in any other suitable manner. A belt 52 may connect motor 26 with a pulley 53 on shaft 49, or the motor may be connected by belt or directly connected to any of the sprocket shafts. A limit switch 54 may be mounted on the underside of top 16 of table T, at the rear, as in Fig. 2, and a stop 55 mounted on chain 41, to engage limit switch 54 and reverse motor 26 when the pusher P reaches its farthest forward position, as in Fig. 3. Similarly, a limit switch 56 may be mounted on the underside of top 16 of table T, at the front, and a stop 57 mounted in a suitable position on chain 41, as in Figs.

" 2 and 3,'to stop the motor 26 when the pusher P has been moved rearwardly to the position of Figs. 1 and 3. The motor 26 may be started forwardly by hand, as by a push button switch 58 of Figs. 1 and 2, which may also include a push button for manually stopping the motor at any desired point. Also, the electrical connections for the motor 26 are preferably such that when limit switch 54 is actuated, the motor will automatically reverse and when the limit switch 56 is actuated, the motor will automatically stop, but when started again will move the pusher P forwardly. It will be understood, of course, that limit switches 54 and 56 may be placed in any other suitable position and also may be actuated in any other suitable manner, while a single reversing switch may be utilized, actuated by a an appropriately placed stop.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, the pusher P may comprise a front bar 6!) which extends transversely and is adapted to engage the rear end of the mattress, as in Fig. 3, and the bottom of which rides along the surface of top 16 of table T. A pair of arms 61 attached at their front ends to bar 60 extend rearwardly therefrom and are attached at their rear ends to a transverse rear block62, front bar 6%, arms 61 and rear block 62 conveniently being made of wood, while an angle 63 may be attached to the rear lower corner of block 62, so as to extend outwardly therefrom for attachment of a bar 64 to each of the chains 41. The movement of chains 41 and 41 thereby is transmitted to pusher P through bars 64. In addition, a pair of brackets 65 may extend rearwardly from angle 63, in spaced lateral relation, while a roller 66 may be attached adjacent the rear end thereof to the underside of each bracket 65. As will be evident from Fig. 4, rollers 66 support the pusher P above the surface of top 16 of table T, so that only the rollers 66 and the underside of front bar 60 engage the surface thereof. This not only reduces the force required to move pusher P forwardly and rearwardly, but also causes the front bar 60 to be pulled downwardly toward the top 16, thereby insuring that the pusher will not tend to ride up over any mattress while it is being pushed into the bag. Of course, the tractive force of chains 41 and 41 also tends to pull the pusher P down against the surface of the top 16.

For operation of the apparatus, the open end of a bag 10 is placed over the delivery end of a spout S, S or S, with the edge of the open end of the bag being upon or slightly over the restraining means, such as the strap 37 or the angles 38. When the mattress starts into the bag, the front end of the bag is preferably held against the sides 34 of the delivery end of the chute, or against the strap 37 or one of the angles 38, until the end of the mattress has passed beyond the end of top 35. By this time, the top will have moved upwardly against the bag and sufiicient force will be exterted by the end of the top 35 pushed upwardly against the bag to hold the bag in position, while the mattress is pushed the remaining distance into the bag. Of course, the restraining means prevents the front end of the bag from splitting, as described previously. As soon as a mattress has been pushed into its bag, the bag 16 with the matress 11 therein may be moved longitudinally along the table T, until the open end of the bag clears the spout, whereupon the open end of the bag may be closed and sealed in a suitable manner, as by folding over the open end thereof and sealing with an adhesive strip. Then the mattress encased in the bag may be shifted off the table T to a conveyor, piled on a truck for movement to shipping or storage, or otherwise disposed of. Then, the next bag ltl is placed on the table T with its open end over the spout in the manner described, While the next mattress is delivered down inclined chute 25 onto the table T, the pusher P in the meantime having been returned to the position ofFig. 1. The motor 26 may then be started again to move the pusher P forwardly and push the next mattress into the bag. These operations may be carried out quickly, since the next mattress may be moved onto the table T while the bag in which the previous mattress is encased is being sealed and moved oif the table T.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that the apparatus of this invention fulfills to a marked degree the requirements and objects hereinbefore set forth. Thus, the apparatus quickly and readily moves a compressible article, such as a mattress, into a bag without tearing or otherwise damaging the bag. Also, since the weak portion of the bag, i. e., the open front end, is prevented from splitting by the novel spout of this invention, bags of minimum strength may be utilized, thus reducing the cost of packing. Furthermore, since the removal and sealing of a bag containing a mattress may be carried out simultaneously with the movement of the next mattress into position to be placed in its bag, a large number of mattresses may-be packaged in succession with rapidity and ease. It will be understood, of course, that a different spout may be provided for each size of mattress or article to be packaged, the restraining means for a pivoted top of a spout, which constitutes an important feature of this invention, may be utilized with other types of spouts.

While a specific embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described with particularity and certain I, variations therein indicated, it will be understood that other embodiments may exist and that other variations may be made, all without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus for packing a compressible article into a bag, a spout having a converging entrance and provided with a delivery section having a flat bottom, vertical sides and a top pivoted at the rear edge thereof which compresses said article as it moves through said spout; said sides of said delivery section being arcuate at the outer ends and sloping downwardly to said outer ends; and means for restraining pivotal movement of said top to a position not more than substantially parallel to said bottom.

2. ln apparatus for packing a compressible article into a bag, means providing a horizontal flat surface along which said article may be moved longitudinally; a pusher movable longitudinally along said surface; means for moving said pusher; a spout for guiding said article into a bag and having a converging throat section and a delivery section over which a bag may be placed and having a normally fixed bottom and sides and a movable top; means for limiting movement of said top of said delivery section; and means for limiting movement of said pusher into said spout.

3. In apparatus for packing a compressible article into a bag, as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for moving said pusher includes a chain or the like; and said means for limiting movement of said pusher includes a limit switch and a stop movable with said chain.

4. In apparatus for packing a compressible article into a bag, means providing a horizontal fiat surface along which said article may be moved longitudinally; a pusher movable longitudinally along said surface; means for moving said pusher, including chains attached to said pusher, said fiat surface having longitudinal channels for said chains deeper than the vertical thickness of said chains; and means for guiding said article into a bag.

5. In apparatus for packing a compressible article into a bag, means providing a horizontal fiat surface along which said article may be moved longitudinally; a pusher movable longitudinally along said surface and having a front bar movable along said surface for engaging the rear of said article and rearwardly disposed rollers for engaging said surface; means for moving said pusher; and means for guiding said article into a bag.

6. In apparatus for packing a compressible article into a bag, as defined in claim 5, wherein said means for moving said pusher includes chains attached to said pusher and said flat surface has longitudinal channels for said chains deeper than the vertical thickness of said chains.

7. In apparatus for packing a compressible article into a bag, as defined in claim 6, wherein said pusher is provided with intermediate members extending over said channels and connected to said chains, the pull of said chains thereby tending to hold said pusher against said surface.

8. In apparatus for packing a compressible article into a bag, means providing a horizontal flat surface along which said article may be moved longitudinally; a pusher movable longitudinally along said surface; means for moving said pusher; alternative guiding means for guiding articles of different sizes into a bag; and means for supporting said guiding means and for moving said guiding means alternatively into operative position with respect to said pusher at the end of said surface.

9. In apparatus for packing a compressible article into a bag, as defined in claim 8, wherein said supporting means for said guides is disposed in upright position at said end of said surface; said guides are mounted in vertically spaced relation for upward and downward movement on said supporting means; and said means for moving said guides includes a hydraulic cylinder on said supporting means and a hydraulic valve and piping for supplying hydraulic fluid to said cylinder and controlling the same.

10. Apparatus for pushing a series of compressible articles into bags, comprising a first support having a horizontal top forming a first surface along which said article may be moved longitudinally; a chute terminating above the rear end of said support and down which said articles may be fed in succession onto said surface; a pair of spaced vertical supports at the front end of said table; a slide movable upwardly and downwardly on each vertical support; a plurality of guide spouts having difi'erent sizes and mounted in spaced vertical relation between said guides, each said spout having a throat section provided with forwardly converging sides and a forwardly converging bottom and top, a delivery section having a fiat horizontal bottom, vertical sides arcuate at the forward ends and upper edges sloping toward the forward end, a top extending between said sides and pivoted to the top of said throat section, and means for restraining pivotal movement of said top to a position not more than substantially parallel to said bottom; a double acting hydraulic cylinder mounted between the upper end of said vertical supports and having a piston rod connected to said guides; hydraulic piping leading to opposite ends 71 of said cylinder and a control valve therefor; a second support having a horizontal top forming a second surface, forwardly of said chutes, for supporting a bag and a mattress pushed into said bag, the open end of said bag being inserted over the delivery end of a chute positioned by said hydraulic cylinder in horizontal alignment with said first surface; and a pusher movable longitudinally of said first surface and disposed beneath said chute while an article is fed onto said first surface, said pusher including a front bar extending transversely of said surface and adapted to engage the rear of said article.

11. In apparatus for packing a compressible article into a bag, as defined in claim 10, wherein said restraining means comprises a strap extending between the sides of said delivery section of each chute.

12. In apparatus for packing a compressible article into a bag, as defined in claim 10, wherein said restraining means comprises an angle attached to each side of said delivery section of each chute with a leg thereof extending inwardly and over said pivoted top of said delivery section.

13. In apparatus for packing a compressible article into a bag, means providing a horizontal flat surface along which said article may be moved longitudinally; a pusher movable longitudinally along said surface and provided with a front member adapted to engage the rear of said article; means for moving said pusher, including chains attached to said pusher, said pusher having an intermediate member extending laterally to each side and connected with each said chain by a downwardly extending member; and means for guiding said article into a bag.

14. Apparatus for packing a compressible article into a bag, as defined in claim 10, wherein said pusher includes a pair of arms extending rearwardly from said front bar to a transversely extending member, a pair of brackets extending rearwardly from said transverse member and each provided at its rear end with a roller engaging said first surface, wherein said apparatus includes at least one shaft extending transversely beneath said first surface and mounted on said first support; a pair of spaced sprockets on each said shaft; reversible electrically controlled means for driving one of said shafts in either direction; a pair of endless chains extending longitudinally 8,. in laterally spaced relation and engaging the respective sprockets, said first surface having a channel for each chain deeper than the vertical thickness of said chain and in which an upper run of each chain moves; a bar attaching each chain to said transversely extending member of said pusher at opposite sides thereof; a first limit switch mounted adjacent the rear end of said first support for reversing said drive means when said front bar of said pusher has moved said article into said bag; a stop on one said chain for actuating said first limit switch; a second limit switch mounted on said first support adjacent the front end thereof for stopping said drive means when said pusher has returned to a position beneath said chute; a stop on one said chain for actuating said second limit switch; and a switch for manually starting said drive means and also manually stopping the same at any desired position of said pusher.

15. In apparatus for packing a compressible article into a bag, a spout having a converging entrance and provided with a fiat bottom, sides and a pivoted top which compresses said article as it moves through said spout into said big; and a strap extending between the sides of said spout for restraining pivotal movement of said top to a position not more than substantially parallel to said bottom.

16. In apparatus for packing a compressible article into a bag, a spout having a converging entrance and provided with a fiat bottom, sides and a pivoted top which compresses said article as it moves through said spout into said bag; and members attached to said sides and extending inwardly therefrom, for restraining pivotal movement of said top to a position not more than substantially parallel to said bottom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 942,257 Hansen et al Dec. 7, 1909 2,413,556 Fourness et al Dec. 31, 1946 2,507,996 Robinson, Jr. May 16, 1950 2,561,853 Glow et al July 24, 1951 2,590,327 Kay Mar. 25, 1952 2,626,521 Ruedi Jan. 27, 1953 2,780,901 Youngblood Feb. 12, 1957 

